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Top ten selling shows on WhatsOnStage in May

Find out what was hot in May

Daisy Bowie-Sell

Daisy Bowie-Sell

| London | London's West End |

12 June 2019

Matthew Broderick (Mark) in The Starry Messenger
Matthew Broderick (Mark) in The Starry Messenger
© Marc Brenner

There was a rather exciting amount of news announced throughout the month of May and with it came a lot of theatre tickets booked. Newly announced shows pair with current runners in this list, which demonstrates how on the pulse you all are.


Hattie Morahan as Lady Torrance in Orpheus Descending
Hattie Morahan as Lady Torrance in Orpheus Descending
© Johan Persson

10. Orpheus Descending

Menier Chocolate Factory, until 8 July

Tennessee Williams' rarely revived oddity of a play has been richly mined in Tamara Harvey's production, currently running at the Menier Chocolate Factory. The cast are top notch, as highlighted by Sarah Crompton in her four-star review.

Hayley Atwell and Company in Rosmersholm
Hayley Atwell and Company in Rosmersholm
© Johan Persson

9. Rosmersholm

Duke of York's Theatre, until 20 July

A regular on this list is this revival of Ibsen's play, which is rarely done well. Here it has been and so everyone is rushing for the chance to see it. Hayley Atwell and Tom Burke are icing on an already very tasty cake.

Stephen Mangan and Kara Tointon
Stephen Mangan and Kara Tointon
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

8. The Man in the White Suit

Wyndham's Theatre, from 26 September to 11 January

Opening first in Bath, this production has a lot going for it, including the excellent comedy performers Stephen Mangan and Kara Tointon. Everyone needs a good old laugh at the moment, and this adaptation of the Ealing Comedy should banish a few of the dark clouds overhead.

Come From Away
Come From Away
© Matthew Murphy

7. Come From Away

Phoenix Theatre, currently booking until February 2020

We've raved about this new musical before and we'll be raving about it again, no doubt. You are all paying heed and booking tickets. Good. It's a brilliant, uplifting and heart-bursting show.

Samantha Womack in The Girl on the Train
Samantha Womack in The Girl on the Train
© Manuel Harlan

6. The Girl on the Train

Duke of York's Theatre, from 23 July to 17 August

News this month that Samantha Womack is to transfer to the West End with the touring production of The Girl on the Train has clearly been met with a flurry of ticket booking. We loved the show when it first opened in Leeds and if you've read the bestselling book, you'll know this is a thriller to match all thrillers.

Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Ben Miles
Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Ben Miles
© Mark Douet

5. The Lehman Trilogy

Piccadilly Theatre, until 3 August

The recently knighted Simon Russell Beale stars alongside Ben Miles and Adam Godley in this superb drama, directed by the now Tony Award-winning Sam Mendes. It's a tale for our times, focusing on the history of the Lehman Brothers bank. It's only a short run, so you're all being very sensible and booking those tickets.

Matthew Broderick (Mark) in The Starry Messenger
Matthew Broderick (Mark) in The Starry Messenger
© Marc Brenner

4. The Starry Messenger

Wyndham's Theatre, until 10 August

Matthew Broderick makes his West End debut in this charming play about change and love and connection. It opened with a bang in the West End, with Sarah Jessica Parker attending first night, and you all dashed out to make sure you could catch it.

Ben Adams (Brad) and Joanna Clifton (Janet)
Ben Adams (Brad) and Joanne Clifton (Janet) in The Rocky Horror Show
© David Freeman

3. The Rocky Horror Show

Touring various venues until November 2019

Still touring and still delighting audiences with its wackiness. There's lots of time to catch the four-star production, which currently stars Duncan James, Joanne Clifton and James Darch. You're definitely not going to miss your chance to do the Time Warp again.

Katharine McPhee, Laura Baldwin and  Marisha Wallace in Waitress
Katharine McPhee, Laura Baldwin and Marisha Wallace in Waitress
© Johan Persson

2. Waitress

Adelphi Theatre, currently booking until 19 October

With the news that Katharine McPhee is leaving and Lucie Jones and Ashley Roberts are stepping in, ticket sales have meant this show maintains a place on this list. You clearly can't wait to see how the newbies do, and neither can we.

The original touring production of Hairspray
The original touring production of Hairspray
© Darren Bell

1. Hairspray

London Coliseum, from 23 April 2020 to 19 July 2020

Legend Michael Ball dons his frock once more to appear in this production, still a while away, and nevertheless in high demand among you all. Of course it is! We can't wait to see him reprise his role as Edna Turnblad.

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